There's A Catch, But It's Piazza

THE NL SIDE

June 27, 2004|By JACK O'CONNELL; Courant Staff Writer

With All-Star balloting wrapping up this week, here's one writer's view of the National League ballot (statistics through Friday):

Catcher

A first baseman will be the starting catcher for the NL All-Star team. The Mets' Mike Piazza (.319, 16 HR, 36 RBI), who has played first base primarily since breaking Carlton Fisk's major league record for home runs by a catcher, is not likely to be surpassed in the voting. Besides, doesn't everyone want to see him catch probable starting pitcher Roger Clemens?

Several other catchers are having good seasons, but none better than the Braves' Johnny Estrada (.332, 4 HR, 41 RBI), who came from the Phillies last year in the trade for pitcher Kevin Millwood and gets the nod over the Dodgers' Paul Lo Duca (.324, 4 HR, 27 RBI) and the Pirates' Jason Kendall (.322, 2 HR, 29 RBI).

First Base

This is the toughest call on the ballot. The Cardinals' Albert Pujols (.305, 20 HR, 51 RBI), who leads the league in runs (63), has been the top vote-getter, and he's certainly a good choice, but the competition here is stiff.

The Reds' Sean Casey (.357, 15 HR, 54 RBI) not only leads the league in batting average but also in hits (100) and total bases (173).

The Phillies' Jim Thome (.320, 25 HR, 53 RBI) leads the league in home runs and has a .425 on-base average and a .732 slugging percentage.

As always, the Rockies' Todd Helton (.338, 13 HR, 45 RBI) is also a factor. It may seem too close to call, but the edge here, and it's not wide, should go to Casey.

Second Base

The Astros' Jeff Kent (.292, 10 HR, 51 RBI) has an insurmountable lead and is a deserving choice.

Voting results may not mean much in selecting a backup here. Since every team must be represented, the Expos' Jose Vidro (.272, 7 HR, 33 RBI) could get the call.

Third Base

The situation is similar to the other side of the diamond with several players having strong seasons, although none more than the Cardinals' Scott Rolen (.341, 18 HR, 75 RBI), the league's RBI leader who has also been the leading vote-getter at the position and should continue to be so.

As usual when a Colorado player is involved, the question of quantifying statistics compiled at Denver's Coors Field comes into play. Rockies third baseman Vinny Castilla (.276, 16 HR, 58 RBI) has the more glowing power numbers, aided markedly by mile-high conditions.

Renewed interest in the Astros, stemming from the Clemens and Andy Pettitte signings (and now the Carlos Beltran trade), has swelled attendance at Houston's Minute Maid Park, site of the All-Star Game, to the extent that the leading vote-getter at this position at last count was Adam Everett (.273, 3 HR, 12 RBI), who almost surely will be toppled. At least, he should be.

The Cardinals' Edgar Renteria (.372, 4 HR, 30 RBI) is in the best position to overtake Everett, and not far behind is the Reds' perennial All-Star Barry Larkin (.303, 4 HR, 29 RBI). As for the Rockies' Royce Clayton (.288, 6 HR, 27 RBI), see Castilla. As odd as it may seem, the lowly Pirates deserve to have the starting shortstop in Jack Wilson (.339, 6 HR, 27 RBI), whose 100 hits are tied for the league lead.

Outfield

For the first time in All-Star history, an outfield may consist of three members of the 500 home run club. In the most recent voting,the leaders are the Giants' Barry Bonds (.352, 18 HR, 39 RBI), the Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. (.246, 19 HR, 54 RBI) and the Cubs' Sammy Sosa (.285, 10 HR, 25 RBI). At the risk of being a spoilsport, this is not the trio that should make the starting lineup.

The most deserving of the three is Bonds, the league leader in on-base average (.613), slugging percentage (.761) and walks (105).

Griffey has been a wonderful, feel-good story with his comeback from several seasons of injuries and his hitting his 500th career homer on Father's Day with Ken Sr. in the house.

Sosa is an annual favorite of All-Star crowds. What would the Home Run Derby be without him?

Well, let's find out.

A back injury reduced Sosa's playing time significantly so that his vote tally is based purely on reputation. Teammate Moises Alou (.288, 18 HR, 47 RBI) is having the better season at Wrigley.

Griffey's power numbers are strong, but not his batting average.

Despite the glamour of having Griffey and Sosa stand alongside Bonds, better choices for starting berths would be the Astros' Lance Berkman (.316, 16 HR, 55 RBI), whose .470 on-base average is second only to Bonds, and the Marlins' Miguel Cabrera (.295, 17 HR, 49 RBI), with apologies to the Diamondbacks' ageless Steve Finley (.295, 18 HR, 38 RBI).